GIFT  OF 
SEELEY  W.  MUDD 

and 

GEORGE  I.  COCHRAN    MEYER  ELSASSER 
DR.  JOHN  R.  HAYNES    WILLIAM  L.  HONNOLD 
JAMES  R.  MARTIN         MRS.  JOSEPH  F.  SARTORI 

to  tkt 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
SOUTHERN  BRANCH 


JOHN  FISKE 


This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below 


PS 
2459 


NQ  W63.1.    — 


Words   for  music. 


Southern  Branch 
of  the 

University  of  California 

Los  Angeles 


Form  L.  1 


AT 

ANGELES 


WORDS  FOR  Music 


BY 


WILLIAM  WELLS  NEWELL 


CAMBRIDGE 
CHARLES    W.  SEVER 

SEnibersttg  Bookstore 
1895 


Q  { 

*..*  Jl 


Copyright,  1895, 
BY  WILLIAM  WELLS  NEWELL. 


5Snfbersttg 
JOHN  WILSON  AND  SON,  CAMBRIDGE,  U.  S.  A. 


PS 


I 

r~ 


eo 

CONTENTS 

PAGE 

THE  FORGOTTEN  HARP 9 

WHEN  ROSE  THY  STAR n 

ARISE  ON  MY  SPIRIT  LONELY 12 

A  WISH 13 

RESERVE 14 

ROSEBUD  AND  ROSE 15 

LIEB'  UNO  LEID 16 

LOVE-THOUGHTS 17 

LOVE'S  MEASURE 18 

CRADLE-SONG 20 

THE  FOUNTAIN 21 

A  NAY-WORD 22 

THE  MENDED  VIOL 23 

THE  LAND  OF  THE  LOST 24 

BEGGARY 25 

FAIRIES'  HILL 27 

RED-ROSE-WOOD 30 

THE  LAST  WORDS 32 

THE  SISTERS 35 

FUNERAL  MARCH 37 

THE  LONELY  OCEAN 39 

THE  FOUNT  OF  TEARS 40 

v 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

THE  WELL  OF  THE  WORLD'S  END 42 

A  BIRTHDAY 43 

MAY  MORNING 44 

THE  SCARLET  TANAGER 45 

ORPHEUS  TO  APOLLO 46 

THE  LAKE  AND  THE  RIVER 47 

VIOLET 49 

WATER-LILIES 50 

MOONLIGHT 51 

THE  LIGHTHOUSE 52 

THE  STORM 53 

THE  FOREST : 55 

AN  OUTLOOK 57 

THOUGHT-BIRTHS 59 

ANY  HARPER  TO  HIS  HARP 62 

To  THE  SOUL 64 

DECORATION 65 

GREETING 68 

THE  TEMPLE 69 

REQUIEM 70 

EROICA • 71 

PEACE 74 

A  MEMORY 75 


Dear  thought,  I  sue  theefor  desired  relief! 
Even  too  long  thou  chantest  in  mine  ear; 
I  would  be  free  another  tune  to  hear ; 
Behold,  I  write  thee  on  this  withered  leaf. 

Forgive  the  art,  that  partial,  hath  designed 
In  black  and  white,  thine  act,  thy  glance  alone, 
And  forfeited  the  soul  of  breathing  tone  ; 
Go  seek  thy  life,  and  haply  shalt  thou  find. 

A  pilgrim  rove  with  fates  and  airs  benign  ! 
If  fortune  waft  thee  in  a  loiterer's  way, 
Who  pondereth  upon  the  legend,  say  : 
"  / who  am  no  man's,  fain  I  would  be  thine" 


THE   FORGOTTEN   HARP 

HE  found  the  harp,  where  lost  it  lay,  the  strings  he 

tuned  and  smote ; 
Unloved   so   long,  these   made   reply  with  many  a 

grateful  note, 
To  gates  of  life  thronged  eager  joys  impassioned  to 

be  born, 
And  sang  exultingly,  as  chant  the  choristers  of  morn. 


Within   the   harp,  by  music   roused,  the   mind,  the 

soul,  awoke, 
In   sobbing  plaint,  in  piercing  wail,  loud  waves   of 

passion  broke ; 
Wild  cries  were  hushed,  the  calmer  dirge  rolled  on 

in  full  lament, 

Then  widened  to  a  solemn  flow  of  sorrow  innocent. 
9 


THE  FORGOTTEN  HARP 

Anew,  by  intermittent   chords,  returned  the   former 

strain, 
In  timid  plea,  with  wistful  hope,  glad  voices  breathed 

again; 
They  rose,  they  swelled,   a  fountain   pure    below  a 

bitter  lake, 
Mild  stars  above  a  darkened  tide,  a  bough  for  Mara's 

sake. 

The   primal   mirth,  the   sequent  pain,  were  told  by 

echoes  dim; 
The  themes,  concordant,  met  and  died  in  movement 

of  a  hymn; 
The  player,  ceasing,  on  his  harp  leaned  silent  for  a 

while, 
As  shone  in  forward-gazing  eyes  a  sweet  and  mystic 

smile. 


WHEN   ROSE  THY   STAR 

WHEN  rose  thy  star,  thy  Fate  chose  one  of  gifts  that 

many  be; 
A  golden  harp  the  fairy  made  her  offering  to  thee. 

She  charmed  it  first,  the  harp   of  gold,  she  sang  a 

moving  spell; 
Delights  of  eld,  forgotten  griefs,  she  bade  therein  to 

dwell. 

Strike  thou  the   harp,  the   golden  harp,  thyself  her 

music  play; 
In  magic  tones,  with  wild  accords,  repeat  the  fairy 

lay. 


ii 


ARISE   ON   MY  SPIRIT   LONELY 

ARISE   on   my  spirit  lonely,  arise  with   thy  radiance 

dear, 
Like  a  star  that   lendeth  to   ocean   its   lustre   silver 

and  clear, 
With  the  air  of  thy  bosom's  breathing  sweet  breath 

to  the  flowers  give, 
In  thy  murmur  and  thy  silence  let  the  soul  of  the 

music  live. 

Each  life  will  be  grateful,  and  render  its  present  to 

make  thee  blest, 
The  many  lamps  and  the  lustres  a  jewel  to  bind  on 

thy  breast, 
The  garlands  that  fall  in  the  chambers  a  wreath  to 

twine  in  thine  hair, 
The  feast  be  thy  beauty's  garment,  and  thine  be  the 

presence  there. 


12 


A  WISH 

Go,  thought,  for  me 
Over  land  and  sea; 
Early  or  late, 
Linger  and  wait. 

When  falls  the  hour, 
Become  a  flower, 
At  feet  to  lie 
Where  he  passeth  by. 

For  perfume's  sake, 
The  flower  he  will  take, 
To  breathe  its  air, 
And  heedfully  bear. 

On  he  will  go, 
Pensive  and  slow: 
"How  came  it  here, 
So  dewy  and  dear?" 


RESERVE 

THE  scornful  stars  their  boon  deny 
What  time  Aurora  glows; 

The  shamed  flowers  turn  cold  and  shy 
When  openeth  the  rose. 

Yet,  dear,  believe,  no  fairer  face 

For  me  can  rival  thine, 
And  be  no  miser  of  thy  grace, 

However  planets  shine. 

I  would  that  deeper  were  the  night, 

And  I  thy  star  to  see ; 
I  wish  me  far  from  roses'  sight, 

And  thou  my  rose  to  be. 


ROSEBUD   AND   ROSE 

A  FLOATING  spray  of  your  wreath, 
A  bud  secure  in  its  sheath, 

You  strewed  last  night; 
I  saved  it  and  thought  no  more ; 
You  wished  me,  the  dancing  o'er, 

A  low  good-night. 

I  woke  at  the  break  of  day ; 
All  fragrant,  beside  me  lay 

This  rose  of  light. 
I  muse  how  the  flower  came ; 
Reply,  if  it  be  the  same 

You  strewed  last  night. 


LIEB'   UND   LEID 

"  SWEET  harp,  thy  mode  of  gladness 

To-night  employ; 
Awake  no  tone  of  sadness 

To  darken  joy." 

"  Dear  harp,  what  doubts  deceive  thee, 

What  error  's  thine  ? 
Doth  my  rejoicing  move  thee 

To  sob  and  pine?" 

"  Thy  life,  thy  life  to  measure 

With  music's  chain, 
I  link  regret  to  pleasure, 

And  bliss  to  pain." 


16 


LOVE-THOUGHTS 

THE  lake  art  thou,  beloved, 

When  the  sunrise  dawneth  o'er; 

My  thoughts,  they  are  water-lilies, 

That  float  and  blow  by  the  shore. 

The  forest  art  thou,  beloved, 

Full  leafy  in  warm  July ; 
My  thoughts,  they  are  crimson  roses, 

That  twine  and  blossom  by. 

The  heaven  art  thou,  beloved, 
So  holy  at  still  midnight; 

My  thoughts,  they  are  stars  of  summer, 
That  beam  with  a  peaceful  light. 


LOVE'S  MEASURE 

"  BELOVED,  tell, 

If  thou  lovest  me  well." 

"  I  love  thee  with  days,  as  many  as  be, 

And  I  love  thee  with  all  that  the  daybeams  see 

I  love  thee  with  every  river  that  flows, 

I  love  thee  with  the  heart  of  the  rose." 

"  Yet  tell,  yet  tell, 

If  thou  lovest  me  well." 

"  I  love  thee  with  nights,  so  holy  and  deep, 
I  love  thee  with  all  the  kingdoms  of  sleep ; 
I  love  thee  with  many  a  glorious  star, 
I  love  thee  with  moons,  that  golden  are." 

"Yet  tell,  yet  tell, 
If  thou  lovest  me  well." 
18 


LOVE'S  MEASURE 

"  I  love  thee  with  the  blue  eyes  of  a  child, 

I  love  thee  with  his  lisping  mild ; 

I  love  thee  with  the  orient  morn 

On  the  brow  of  youth  when  the  spirit  is  born." 

"  Yet  tell,  yet  tell, 

If  thou  lovest  me  well." 

"  I  love  thee  with  sorrows,  I  love  thee  with  tears, 
I  love  thee  with  wreck  of  the  darkening  years ; 
I  love  thee  with  the  silence  and  peace 
Of  angel  who  waiteth  for  soul's  release." 

"  Cease,  cease  to  tell, 
For  thou  lovest  me  well." 


CRADLE-SONG 

MARY  gave  to  Jesus  birth, 
In  her  arms  held  heaven  and  earth, 
So  clasp  I  thee ! 

Mary  lulled  her  babe  to  sleep, 
Slumber  calm  did  Jesus  keep, 
Hush  thou  for  me  ! 

Mary  knelt  above  her  child, 
Jesus  opened  eyes  and  smiled, 
Smile  thou  on  me  ! 

Jesus  held  out  arms  so  blest, 
Mary  caught  him  to  her  breast, 
So  take  I  thee  ! 


THE  FOUNTAIN 

SHE  rested  her  jar  on  the  fountain  stone; 
The  water  flowed,  and  the  water  shone. 

"  Give  me  to  drink  of  thy  water  cold, 

I  '11  pay  thee  with  silver,  I  '11  pay  thee  with  gold." 

"Thy  silver  and  gold,  they  are  little  to  me; 
I  pour  for  another,  I  pour  for  thee." 

She  held  to  his  lips  the  pitcher  agleam, 
She  shed  on  his  hands  a  silvery  stream. 

"  Thou  hast  had  thy  fill  of  the  flowing  well, 
Thy  thirst  it  is  slaked,  I  wish  thee  farewell." 

"Would  that  I  parched  in  the  desert  sand, 
Nor  had  ever  been  cool  in  this  leafy  land ! 

"  And  would  that  I  bleached  in  the  desert  sere, 
Nor  had  ever  been  blest  from  thy  fountain  clear ! " 

21 


A   NAY-WORD 

IN  earnest  if  I  love  thee?     Or  ever  I  reply, 
Forgive  me,  and  remember  how  much  in  love  doth 

lie, 
How  much  doth  lie. 

Love's  duty  and  love's   passion    breathe   not  with 

mortal  breath; 
Pure  love  is  joy  and  sorrow,  sweet  love  is  life  and 

death, 
Is  life  and  death. 

Indeed,  I  do  not  love  thee,  I  love  thee  not,  ah,  no ; 
Indeed,  I  cannot  love  thee,  I  care  not  for  thee  so, 
Alas !   not  so. 


22 


THE   MENDED  VIOL 

IT  lieth  in  thine  heart,  I  know, 
To  play  the  movement  o'er; 

The  instrument  will  not  bestow 
The  grace  it  gave  before. 

With  pains  let  pardon  be  implored, 
Forgiveness  thou  shall  earn; 

Note  after  note,  and  chord  by  chord, 
The  music  will  return. 


THE   LAND   OF  THE   LOST 

AT  deep  of  night,  in  lonely  bower,  upon  a  muse  I 

fell; 
A  gentle  dream  conveyed  my  soul  where  fallen  spirits 

dwell. 

They  seemed   so   sad,  they  looked  so  fair,  I  gazed 

and  marvelled  long; 
A  single  shape,  a  face  I  knew,  came  forward  from 

the  throng. 

"  Dear  friend,"  she  cried,  "  dear  parted  friend,  't  is 

pleasure  thee  to  greet ; 
Ere  thy  return,  a  kiss  bestow,  thy  lips  they  are  so 

sweet." 

I  kissed  her  lips,  "  Herein,"  she  said,  "  I  seal  thee 

mine,  dear  heart ; 
For  thou  hast  kissed,  thy  home  is  here,  O  never  to 

depart." 


24 


BEGGARY 

AN  alms  for  living 

I  ask  of  thee ; 
Thou,  after  giving, 

Shalt  wealthier  be. 

A  coin  of  the  largesse 
Thou  wilt  not  retain, 

A  chord  of  the  music 

Thou  canst  not  restrain; 

A  smile  of  thy  summer, 

If  winter  frown, 
A  leaf  of  thy  laurel, 

If  honor  crown 

A  memory  gentle, 

And  once  a  year, 

Over  buried  fancy 
A  sigh,  a  tear : 
25 


BEGGARY 

Such  alms  for  living 
I  ask  of  thee ; 

Thou,  after  giving, 

Shalt  wealthier  be. 


26 


FAIRIES'   HILL 

HE  hunted  by  field,  he  hunted  by  fell ; 

When  died  away  the  sunset  beam, 
A  cloud  of  sleep  closed  over  his  eyes, 

And  his  heart  grew  faint  with  a  dream. 

He  lighted  down  at  an  oaken  grove, 
By  the  rein  his  courser  he  bound; 

His  head  was  propped  on  a  gnarled  root, 
Apart  from  a  grassy  mound. 

Came  midnight,  oped  the  fairy  doors, 

The  fairy  halls  were  ashine ; 
A  lady  stepped  forth  from  the  Fairies'  Hill, 

To  serve  the  stranger  with  wine. 

She  bore  in  her  hands  a  silver  grail, 

As  she  passed  to  the  hunter's  place ; 

She  stooped  to  his  seat,  and  proffered  the  bowl ; 
The  twain  gazed  face  to  face. 
27 


FAIRIES'  HILL 

"  Sweet  sister,  is  it  truly  thou  ? 

And,  sister,  forest  thou  well? 
Is  it  joy  to  drink  of  the  fairies'  cup, 

And  with  the  fairies  dwell?" 

The  silver  slipt  between  her  hands, 

The  liquor  on  moss  was  shed  : 
"More  fortunate  she  at  our  mother's  door 

Who  seeketh  the  dole  of  bread, 

"  And  happier  one  who  shivering  waits 

For  the  robe  of  a  mercy  cold, 
Than  it  is  to  be  fed  of  the  fairies'  feast, 

Arrayed  in  the  silk  and  the  gold  ! " 

"  My  hunter  hath  a  flying  speed ; 

Sweet  sister,  mount  behind, 
And  I  will  bear  thee  so  far  away 

That  the  fairies  shall  never  find, 

"  Will  carry  thee  hence  to  a  shelter  safe, 
Where  nevermore  needest  thou  fear 
To  be  charmed  with  the  charm  and  spelled  with  the 

spell, 

And  be  ruled  by  the  fairies  here." 
28 


FAIRIES1  HILL 

"  And  if  thy  steed  were  winged  with  thought, 
So  far  thou  couldst  never  go, 

But  I  must  be  back  in  the  Fairies'  Hill, 
Or  ever  the  morn  doth  glow." 

The  cloud  of  sleep  closed  over  his  eyes, 

He  fell  to  dreaming  anew; 
When  next  he  awaked,  the  dawn  was  gray, 

And  cold  on  his  forehead  the  dew. 


29 


RED-ROSE-WOOD 

WHEN  I  was  young,  and  a  simple  youth, 
A-wooing  behooved  me  to  ride ; 

I  rode  as  far  as  the  red-rose-wood, 
And  it  pleased  me  there  to  abide. 

I  lighted  down  at  the  red-rose-wood, 

I  fell  on  a  slumber  deep ; 
Forth  from  her  bower  came  the  fairy  queen 

To  waken  me  out  of  sleep. 

Forth  from  her  bower  came  the  fairy  queen, 
In  my  ear  low  murmured  she  : 

"  Hark  what  I  say,  thou  beautiful  youth, 
To-night  to  dwell  with  me? 

"To-night  with  me,  thou  beautiful  youth," 
She  murmured  low  in  mine  ear, 

"  And  my  damsel  shall  sing  thee  a  fairy  song, 
If  it  pleaseth  thee  to  hear." 
30 


RED-ROSE-WOOD 

The  fairy  was  wise,  she  knew  her  lay, 
A  spell  of  delight  she  began, 

That  the  rushing  river  she  bound  to  be  still, 
The  river  that  swiftly  ran; 

The  rushing  river  she  bound  to  be  still, 

That  poureth  over  the  linn; 
The  trout  that  darts  in  the  foamy  pool, 

He  stirred  with  never  a  fin ; 

The  spotted  deer,  that  leaps  in  the  wood, 

Was  fleet  of  foot  no  more; 
The  nightingale,  that  pines  on  the  bough, 

Her  melody  was  o'er. 

The  fairies  were  dancing  out  and  in, 

They  danced  all  in  a  band ; 
I  gazed  and  gazed,  poor  simple  youth, 

While  I  leaned  my  head  on  my  hand. 


THE   LAST  WORDS 
(1214) 

WILD  waxed  the  mirth  of  the  royal  feast; 
Before  the  king  stood  an  aged  priest. 

"The  Lady  Ellen,  from  cloister,"  he  said, 
"Biddeth  these  maids  to  her  dying  bed." 

Dark  grew  the  brow  of  the  castle's  lord ; 
With  an  angry  motion  he  spurned  the  board. 

"  Mount,  mount,  my  daughters,  mount  and  ride, 
While  starry-clear  is  the  eventide." 

They  sped  so  fast,  that  when  night  was  late, 
The  troop  rode  in  at  the  convent  gate. 

They  mounted  up  by  a  turret  stair; 
They  entered  a  chamber,  narrow  and  bare. 

The  naked  walls  and  the  foot-stones  cold 
Were  shrouded  with  silk  and  with  cloth  of  gold. 
32 


THE  LAST  WORDS 

On  a  pallet  low  Lady  Ellen  lay; 
Death  stood  at  her  feet,  a  shadow  gray. 

She  opened  her  dimmed  eyes  to  see; 

She  signed  to  her  side  the  princesses  three. 

"Christina,  eldest  born,"  she  cried, 
"  How  well  becometh  thee  thy  pride  ! 

"  This  arched  brow,  this  tressed  hair, 
One  day  shall  Sweden's  circle  wear. 

"  Thy  summer,  Benedicta,  be 
A  season  merciful,  like  thee. 

"  But  Katrine  !   O  beloved,  desired  ! 
Thy  youth  with  sweetness  how  attired  1 

"For  thee  I  fear,  or  soon  or  late, 
The  image  of  thy  mother's  fate, 

"The  armed  hand,  the  forced  embrace, 
Then  coldness,  calumny,  disgrace, 

"And  robbery  of  mother's  right, 
Her  earned  comfort  and  delight." 
33 


THE  LAST  WORDS 

Exclaimed  the  king,  "  While  yet  we  live, 
If  thee  I  harmed,  that  wrong  forgive." 

A  scarlet  flush  to  the  pale  cheek  came, 
The  wasted  eyes  lit  up  with  a  flame : 

"The  guilt  that  on  thy  head  doth  lie, 
That  crime  condone  nor  God  nor  I ! " 

She  turned  her  face  against  the  wall; 
A  terror  fell  on  the  courtiers  all. 

Dismayed,  her  daughters  fled  the  cell ; 
From  the  tower  pealed  out  her  passing-bell. 


34 


THE  SISTERS 

"  O  SISTER,  sister,  hath  my  care,  my  rescue  been  in 

vain? 
Day  after  day,  before  mine  eyes,  I  watch  thee  droop 

and  wane. 
Have  I  not  fed  thee  from  my  board,  and  robed  thee 

from  my  store? 
Have  I  not  loved  thee  from  my  life?     What  could 

I  give  thee  more?" 

"  To  this  wild  heart,  this  altered  fate,  thou  hast  been 

kind,  I  know; 
One    final    hope,   one   further    boon,    remaineth   to 

bestow, 
The  pilgrim  staff,  the  palmer's  gown,  to  wander  forth 

alone, 
Where  I  may   toil,  where  I    may   serve,  unfollowed 

and  unknown." 

35 


THE  SISTERS 

"  Alas,    what    savage    cruelty    thy    hardness    hath 

designed  ! 
Under  what  planet  wert  thou  born  to  render  thee 

unkind? 
Myself  to  shine  in  cloth  of  gold,  and  thou  to  wear 

the  frieze? 
Thou  tasked  in  foreign  slavery,  and  I  enthroned  at 

ease  ! " 

"  There  be  for  whom  the  diamonds  shine,  to  whom 

the  pearls  are  dear, 
And  others  live  whose  bosoms  proud  the  jewels  brand 

and  sere ; 
Let  me  go  forth  secure  to  dwell  with  souls  as  poor 

as  I ; 
Sweet  sister,  thou  shalt  grant  me  peace,  content  no 

more  deny." 


FUNERAL  MARCH 

LET  earth  to  earth  be  resigned; 

Rest  in  peace. 
Let  soul  with  soul  be  enshrined ; 

Rest  in  peace. 

As  thy  deed,  so  thy  memory  lowly, 
To  love  alone  shall  be  holy; 
March,  march,  in  order  and  slowly, 

Rest  in  peace. 

The  comrades  who  battled  about  thee, 

Rest  in  peace. 
What  task  shall  be  theirs  without  thee? 

Rest  in  peace. 
Thy  pride,  adversity  scorning, 
Their  beacon,  their  hope,  and  their  warning, 
Beheld  the  night  like  the  morning, 

Rest  in  peace. 

37 


9 1 6  3  3 


FUNERAL  MARCH 

For  fates  severe  wert  thou  singled ; 

Rest  in  peace. 
World's  woe  for  thee  hath  been  mingled 

Rest  in  peace. 

Thy  crown,  of  sorrow's  designing, 
Showed  thorns  and  roses  entwining, 
No  laurel,  no  myrtle  combining, 

Rest  in  peace. 

Alas,  that  so  hath  befallen ! 

Rest  in  peace. 
Thy  flower  ungathered  hath  fallen ; 

Rest  in  peace. 

No  maid,  in  thee  for  her  lover, 
Shall  deep  under  deep  discover, 
Clear  height  over  height  above  her, 

Rest  in  peace. 

With  hero's  heart  hast  thou  striven; 

Rest  in  peace. 
A  soldier's  life  hast  thou  given; 

Rest  in  peace. 

We  make  no  lamenting  o'er  thee ; 
Forgive  the  sigh,  we  implore  thee ; 
Thy  right  of  calm  we  restore  thee, 

Rest  in  peace. 

38 


THE  LONELY  OCEAN 

A  BLUE  and  lonely  ocean 
Encompasseth  an  isle ; 

With  many-voiced  motion 

It  soundeth  all  the  while. 

A  merry  infant  playeth 

With  never-wearied  joy; 

Beside  a  pool  delayeth 

To  launch  his  floating  toy. 

Time  cometh,  when  he  pleases 
To  dare  the  shining  sea; 

He  flieth  before  breezes, 

White  sail,  and  billows  free. 

'Twixt  hope  and  terror  only 
He  tosseth  by  and  by, 

A  waif  on  ocean  lonely, 
Beholding  sea  and  sky. 

39 


THE   FOUNT  OF  TEARS 

THEE  like  a  babe  all  innocently  born, 

Sweet  fount,  would  I  behold,  and  joy  to  view 

Above  thy  quiet  pool  a  rival  morn 

Repose  in  silent  change  of  clouds  and  blue; 
Of  slender  rushes  on  thy  verge  that  grew, 

Forget-me-nots,  and  one  pale  rose  forlorn, 

My  coronet  would  weave,  to  sing  the  while, 
And,  wistful,  woo  Love's  tear,  as  if  indeed  Love's 
smile. 

Within  thy  neighboring  woodland  would  I  make 

My  pensive  quest,  its  sacred  sprites  to  meet,  — 

Youth,  musing-pale,  with  Honor,  hot  to  take 
His  rapid  prey  ere  rival  Death  defeat; 
Free- wandering  Fancies  in  thy  wild  would  greet, 

Fair  Hope  like  Sorrow  masked ;  and  haply  wake 
A  forest-slumbering  Thought,  that  in  surprise 
On  me  would  lift  the  lids  of  childish  frightened 
eyes. 

40 


THE  FOUNT  OF  TEARS 

Even  to-day  to  thee  have  I  recourse, 

Albeit  years  have  cruel  wisdom  bred, 

And  taught  me  how  thy  plenty,  dangerous  source  ! 
From  that  perpetual-changing  deep  is  fed, 
Wherewith  our  fates  are  singly  islanded; 

The  seal  may  be  unclosed,  and  with  force 

The  child  who  by  thy  current  doth  remain, 
One  free  and  mounting  billow  render  to  the  main, 

Yet  for  mine  own  part  may  it  never  be, 

As  others  are  constrained,  that  I  forbear 

To  rove  thy  haunted  glades,  or  fill  from  thee 
The  mingled  cup  of  gratitude  and  care ; 
No  more  by  fondness  armed,  must  these  despair 

To  reckon  with  heart-aiming  Memory, 
And,  foreign  to  affection  and  to  pain, 
Thank  every  dawning  day  for  sunshine  or  for  rain. 

But  he  who  keeps  a  remnant  of  Love's  shield, 
Albeit  Time-pierced,  doth  not  find  it  so ; 

To  him  thy  welcome  fount  a  draught  doth  yield 
Chill  with  refreshing  more  than  cold  with  woe  ; 
Beside  thy  marge  celestial  flowers  grow, 

And  blooms  of  comfort  in  thy  nooks  concealed ; 
So  holy  seems  thy  well,  that  to  give  o'er 
The  pilgrimage,  would  be  to   live  and  breathe 
no  more.  t 


THE  WELL  OF  THE  WORLD'S  END 

"  WHAT  water  to  this  twilight  dell 
Doth  lonely  glimmer  lend?" 

"  Fair  wanderer,  't  is  called  the  Well 
Of  the  World's  End." 

"Pray,  is  it  sweet,  the  rivulet 

That  icily  doth  flow?" 
"Its  virtue  maketh  to  forget 

Desire  and  woe." 

"  What  duty  thine,  who  lingerest  late, 
Pale  feature  veiled  o'er?" 

"  Dear  child  of  earth,  I  am  thy  Fate ; 
Inquire  no  more." 


42 


A   BIRTHDAY 

A  THRUSH  upon  a  maple  bough  gave  all  his  mind 

and  sang; 
The  hill  was  green,  the   maple  bare,  the  road  and 

valley  rang. 

I  listened  to  the  song  afar,  I  heard  the  tune  anear ; 
The  burden  went :   "  Fair  Earth  to-day  is  younger  by 

a  year, 
Fair  Earth  to-day,  fair  Earth  to-day,  is  younger 

by  a  year." 

Or  if  I  came,  or  if  I  went,  the  voice  would  not  be 

mute; 
It  chanted  on  in  sweeter  change  than  viol,  harp,  or 

lute. 
I  learned  the  melody  by  heart,  it  chimeth  in  mine 

ear; 
The  burden  went :  "  Fair  Earth  to-day  is  younger  by 

a  year, 
Fair  Earth  to-day,  fair  Earth  to-day,  is  younger 

by  a  year." 

43 


MAY  MORNING 

PURPLE  and  pink  is  the  twilight  of  May, 

Fresh  of  a  morning  early; 
Awaken  the  birds  with  the  waking  of  day, 

And  I  love  my  love  so  dearly. 

Apple-blossoms  are  blithe  to  see, 

Fresh  of  a  morning  early; 
Green  are  the  leaves  of  the  maple-tree, 

And  I  love  my  love  so  dearly. 

An  oriole  builds  on  a  hanging  bough, 

Fresh  of  a  morning  early; 
Hark,  to  his  mate  he  calleth  now, 

And  I  love  my  love  so  dearly. 


44 


THE  SCARLET  TANAGER 

A  FLAME,  a  wandering  fire, 
With  wavering  desire 

From  bough  to  bough, 
Thou  winged,  wondrous  thing  ! 
Of  glad,  of  golden  spring 

The  soul  art  thou, 

A  flame,  a  wandering  fire. 

Thy  strange,  thy  scarlet  gleam, 
Will  glisten  through  my  dream 

The  livelong  year; 
O  pure,  O  holy  May ! 
O  blithe,  O  blessed  way 

I  travel  here ! 

A  flame,  a  wandering  fire. 


45 


ORPHEUS  TO  APOLLO 

[ON   THE   PICTURE    BY   COROT] 

Lo,  falleth  o'er  yon  Eastern  height 
A  beam  of  crimson  fire  ! 

To  thee,  pure  fount  of  song  and  light, 
I  lift  the  golden  lyre  ! 

Shine  thou  upon  the  instrument, 
Smite  every  thrilling  chord  ! 

Make  every  tone  obedient 
As  arrow  of  its  lord  ! 

From  skies  by  thee  illumed  to-day 
And  lands  thou  shall  behold, 

Confer  a  glory,  that  the  lay 

Rise  full  and  clear  and  bold  ! 

And  when  thine  happiness  shall  leave 
The  West  with  roses  crowned, 

As  grateful  let  the  hymn  of  eve 
In  peace  and  honor  sound. 
46 


THE   LAKE  AND  THE  RIVER 

THE  RIVER 

THOU  gazest  into  heaven 

With  eyes  so  blue  and  glad; 

In  white  and  fragrant  lilies 
Is  thy  Undine  clad. 

THE  LAKE 

Thou  fallest  from  the  mountain, 
Thou  flowest  by  the  hill; 

A  thousand  singing  streamlets 
Thy  rushing  currents  fill. 

THE   RTVER 

The  roses  of  the  sunset 

Upon  thy  breast  remain, 

So  pure  the  heart  thou  yieldest, 
So  free  of  selfish  stain. 
47 


THE  LAKE  AND    THE  RIVER 
THE   LAKE 

Thy  broad  and  gleaming  splendor 
Hath  nought  to  envy  mine, 

When  on  thy  swollen  water 
The  solemn  glories  shine. 


VIOLET 

THOU  bloomest  so  secret, 
So  modest,  so  dear; 

A  perfume,  a  comfort, 
Revealeth  thee  near. 

Who  cherished  may  keep  thee, 
With  safety  enclose, 

Need  seek  not,  need  sigh  not, 
For  lily  and  rose. 


WATER-LILIES 

I  CARRY  white  water-lilies,  white  lilies  of  starry  grace ; 
I  lay  them  beside  thy  bosom,  I  twine  them  about  thy 
face. 

Thou    liest    serene    and   stately,    adorned   with   thy 

beauty  the  while; 
Out  of  a  tender  silence  on  me  thou  seemest  to  smile. 

I  leave  the  light  of  mine  eyes,  I  leave  the  hope  of 

mine  heart; 
Beloved,  bestow  thy  peace,  thy  peace  with  me  to 

depart. 


* 

MOONLIGHT 

THE  breathing  of  ocean 
Is  peaceful  to-night; 

The  golden  moon  claspeth 
His  bosom  with  light. 

Her  glory  in  heaven 

Doth  reign  and  prevail; 
Its  torches  she  quencheth 

In  mystery  pale ; 

The  chamber  she  floodeth 

Where  calm  thou  dost  lie; 

Thy  dream  be  illumined 
As  water  and  sky  ! 


THE   LIGHTHOUSE 

A  MILD  and  wakeful  beacon 

Glows  lonely  o'er  the  deep ; 

Above  its  crowning  lantern 
Do  scornful  waters  leap. 

Now  boiling  surges  eddy, 

Now  welling  billows  pour ; 

Resounding  breakers  thunder 
Along  a  granite  shore. 

Homebound,  a  white  sail  neareth 
The  pure  and  friendly  light ; 

A  moment  more,  it  veereth, 

Concealed  by  foam  and  night. 


THE   STORM 

His  brow  was  dark,  his  glance  was  stern,  the  storm- 
king  in  the  north; 

With  ire  he  bade  his  helpers  rise,  he  sent  his  heralds 
forth ; 

He  made  proclaim  his  holy  war  through  all  his 
realm  so  wide; 

'Twas  cried  aloud  upon  the  height,  and  in  the  deep 
'twas  cried. 


Behold,  his  hosts  are   mustering,  by  hill   and  glen 

they  come, 
Each    lonely   path    is    echoing   as   if  with   fife   and 

drum  ; 
I  see  the  glinting  of  their  arms  on  highland  and  on 

plain ; 
Myself  have  taken  sword  and  spear  to  foray  in  their 

train. 


THE  STORM 

Blow,  clarions,  blow  !     Ye  cannot  peal  so  bold  as  my 

desire  ! 
Wave,  banners,  wave  !     Ye  cannot  flame  so  clear  as 

my  heart's  fire  ! 
Shout,  warriors,  shout !     Of  thousand  tones  a  single 

voice  be  made, 
Hurrah,   hurrah,    our    master's  war,    hurrah    for   his 

crusade  ! 


54 


THE   FOREST 

GREAT  harp  of  the  mighty  forest,  thy  many  voices 

prepare 

To  sound  in  a  single  music,  be  born  in  this  golden  air ; 
Deep  joy  hath  he  in  the  forest  who  liveth  and  reigneth 

alone ; 
The  spirit  of  every  creature  doth  breathe  and  blend 

in  his  own. 


O  rocks  so  ancient  and  stained,  O  trees  that  rustle 
and  shine, 

Green  oaks  that  mantle  the  highlands,  and  sunlighted 
stems  of  the  pine, 

Pure  waters  that  murmur  and  glisten  in  silence  from 
mosses  fed, 

Bright  world  of  marvels  and  glimpses,  and  blue- 
gleaming  sky  overhead, 


SS 


THE  FOREST 

Dark  curve  of  the  Eastern  ocean,  glad  peaks  of  the 

boundless  West, 
From  morn  to  even  unclouded,  apparelled  in  sapphire 

blest, 
Mine  heart  is  free  and   rejoiceth,  hath  learned   the 

rhymes  that  belong; 
Wild  harp  of  the  lonely  forest,  prelude  the  chords 

of  the  song. 


AN   OUTLOOK 

THE  glances,  the  spaces 

Of  innocent  day; 
The  welcomes,  the  graces 

Of  flower-breathing  May; 

The  city  extending 

So  mistily  fair, 
A  human  heart  blending 

With  sunshine  and  air; 

Near  oak- forests  showing 
Now  red,  now  pale ; 

Pink  apple-trees  blowing, 
The  spires  of  the  vale ; 

Far  peace-loving  mountains 
That  cloudlessly  gleam; 

Pure  lakes  and  sweet  fountains 
That  harborward  stream ; 
57 


AN  OUTLOOK 

Round  ocean  yonder; 

Blue  heaven  o'er, — 
Mine,  mine,  O  wonder  1 

Forevermore  ! 


\ 
58 


THOUGHT-BIRTHS 

STAR-RISINGS,  and  the  march  of  orbs  that  shone, 
A  master  scanned,  and  studied  paths  unknown, 
Till  out  of  darkness,  seed  of  thought  was  sown. 

For  birthpang's  sake,  for  midnights  of  despair, 
Since  worth  from  toil  derives,  and  love  from  care, 
He  prized  his  Thought,  and  called  it  right  and  fair. 

Companions  dwelt  the  twain ;    and  overwise, 

As  one  by  knowledge  cheated  of  surprise, 

His  offspring  measured  life  with  strange  sad  eyes. 

But  winged  Thoughts  it  doth  not  well  become 
In  infant  nest  to  linger;    these  must  roam, 
Thus  saith  the  law,  in  quest  of  other  home. 

So  winged  the  wanderer  forth,  and,  self-afraid, 
A  shelter  long  required,  until  he  made 
His  second  birth  in  spirit  of  a  maid. 
59 


THO  UCHT-BIR  THS 

Of  simple  house,  of  gentle  nature,  she 

In  quiet  had  been  nurtured,  pure  and  free 

As  in  her  sight,  the  emerald-changing  sea. 

For  her  desire  did  floating  lilies  shine 

To  rim  the  azure  lake  in  silver  line, 

Pink  roses  tangle,  and  the  wild  grape  twine. 

Upon  such  terms  she  stood  with  Day  and  Night, 
That  little  pleasures,  deemed  our  human  right, 
Her  face  would  color  with  a  swift  delight. 

In  this  new  world  the  Thought  remained,  as  one 
Who  joy  of  youthful  friendship  hath  begun, 
And,  pleased,  discovers  he  himself  is  young. 

Now  came  the  master's  hour  to  make  appear 
Before  the  world,  his  gain ;  she  found  it  dear, 
Among  the  rest,  to  listen  and  revere. 

Deep-voiced,  and  burdened  with  life's  freight  of  woe, 
He  charted  secular  tides  that  ebb  and  flow, 
Proved  wane  of  stars  that  erst  did  regnant  glow, 

Calm  guides  divine ;    then  suddenly  befell 
As  when  a  gazer  in  an  elfin  well 
In  its  clear  deep  beholds  the  fairy  dwell ; 
60' 


THO  UGHT-BIR  THS 

For  in  the  glances  lifted  to  his  own 

He  met  his  Thought,  his  creature,  his  alone, 

But  oh,  how  altered  from  expression  known  ! 

A  look,  as  if  wide  Wisdom's  house  were  meant 
A  roof  for  peace,  a  frame  for  ornament 
Of  rainbow-woven  joy  and  world's  content. 

The  speaker  ceased,  and,  homeward-turning,  fled 
Pursuit  of  thanks  and  praises;  with  bowed  head, 
"From  mouth  of  babes,"  low  to  himself  he  said. 


61 


ANY  HARPER  TO   HIS  HARP 

MY  passion  and  thy  pleasure, 
My  harp,  will  not  unite ; 

I  honor  golden  morning, 

Thou  hymnest  starry  night. 

Thy  silence  I  awakened 

With  chords  that  mournful  rang; 
The  melody  to  heaven 

Arose,  and  soared,  and  sang. 

Thy  full  and  flowing  river 
For  rill  of  mine  atones; 

Like  sun  on  falling  water 

Are  thy  rainbow  overtones. 

The  spirits  of  thy  lovers 

With  thee  forever  dwell, 

One  hath  his  royal  palace, 

And  one  his  hermit's  cell; 
62 


ANY  HARPER   TO  HIS  HARP 

One  singeth  consolation 

Of  fruitful  happy  years; 
One  sigheth  supplication 

Of  lonely  martyr- tears. 

Delight,  desire,  and  rapture, 
Despair,  remorse,  and  fear, 

Are  born  a  single  music, 
Harmonious  and  clear. 

Mine  harp,  mine  harp  beloved  ! 

Fate  hath  to  me  been  kind; 
Some  breathing  of  the  summer, 

Some  sweetness  mayest  thou  find, 

And  with  thine  other  voices 

In  peace  the  essence  blend, 

Of  one  who  was  thy  master, 

Thy  minstrel,  and  thy  friend  ! 


TO   THE   SOUL 

WHEN  over  deep  and  silent  summer  night 

Mild  planets  shone, 
Thou,  thoughtful,  gavest  to  those  pilgrims  bright 

Looks  like  their  own. 

When  wreathed  hours  embraced,  in  kissing  maze, 

A  careless  band, 
Thou,  nunlike  mid  the  revel,  mute,  didst  raise 

A  warning  hand. 

When  on  the  lonely  vigil,  pale,  increased 

One  streak  of  morn, 
Thou,  wakeful,  hast  beheld  the  cruel  East, 

And  didst  not  mourn. 

When,  sorrow-bold,  I  made  my  prayer  to  Woe : 

"  Be  heaven  of  mine  !  " 
The  answering  goddess  freed  her  veil,  and  lo  ! 

The  eyes  were  thine  ! 


DECORATION 

IN  gleaming  chestnut  glade, 
Where  early  June  hath  made 
The  freshest,  blithest  shade, 

Level  and  low, 
They  lie  apart,  alone, 
Never  a  lettered  stone; 
One  —  but  the  grave  unknown 

In  life  a  foe. 


Desire  no  worshipped  name; 
The  partial  cry  of  Fame 
Meteth  nor  praise  nor  blame, 

No  titles  here; 

From  mill,  from  shop,  and  plough, 
These  came,  no  record  how, 
To  one  promotion  now, 

Common  and  clear. 


DECORATION 

For  them  the  stern  advance, 
The  field,  the  ambulance, 
The  pang,  the  mortal  trance, 

The  stranger's  earth ; 
Sweet  youth  must  we  resign 
To  wither  and  decline, 
Why  alter  Nature's  sign 

Of  hope  and  mirth? 

Is  it  reply  to  say, 

Joy  dwells  with  Spring  alway, 

Winter  's  forgot  in  Ma}', 

Sorrow  in  flowers? 
At  last,  at  last,  though  late, 
Have  veered  the  winds  of  hate 
The  sowing  was  their  fate, 

The  harvest,  —  ours. 

Blooms  of  the  forest  wild, 
Full  many  a  little  child, 
As  innocently  mild, 

Shall  reverent  throw  ^ 
To  cover  up  their  rest, 
Our  gardens  yield  their  best, 
The  rarest,  costliest, 

Yet  fairer, — no. 
66 


DECORA  TION 

However  cities  proud 
Thunder  with  cannon  loud, 
Or  wave  a  gaudy  cloud 

Of  flags  on  high, 
That  people  liveth  poor 
Untrained  by  memories  pure, 
To  suffer,  to  endure, — 

At  need,  to  die. 


NEW  ROCHELLE,  N.  Y., 


GREETING 

BESIDE  the  tides  of  Atlantic,  that  flow  so  clear  and 

so  cold, 
By  feet  of  the  shining  Sierras,  by  western  Gate  of 

Gold, 
Where   the    billowy   seas   of   the   prairie  roll   green 

under  skies  of  light, 
In  glens  of  the  leafy  highlands,  on  fields  where  the 

cotton  is  white ; 

I  hail  thee,  I  greet  thee,  my  brother  !  Receive  the 
heart  and  the  hand, 

In  the  name  of  the  bountiful  parent,  the  dearly- 
beloved  land  ! 

She  weareth  the  mantle  of  plenty,  she  reigneth  from 
sea  to  sea; 

As  wide  as  the  realm  of  the  mother  the  thoughts  of 
the  children  be. 

1893- 

68 


THE  TEMPLE 

MY  temple  bright 
I  made  on  a  height, 

Wide  earth  below; 
Of  marbles  strange 
Did  columns  change 

In  many  a  row. 

Each  glorious  wall 
Was  storied  with  all 

That  gods  befell ; 
In  outer  court, 
For  world's  resort, 

A  healing  well. 

Pure  holy  days 

With  robes  and  praise 

Did  clergy  keep ; 
Alone  divine, 
One  grave,  one  shrine, 

To  kneel  and  weep. 

69 


REQUIEM 

FROM   northern   earth,    how   bloomed   this    stranger 

blest? 
Beloved  and  cherished  upon  Nature's  breast. 

Shall  dear  companions  sigh  above  his  grave?  — 
While  forests  murmur,  and  while  grasses  wave. 

Who  harboreth  his  thoughts,  now  he  is  gone  ?  — 
No  second  friend ;   they  trusted  him  alone. 

Where  gain  of  life,  since  he  hath  found  repose?  — 
Maybe  a  bluer  sky,  a  redder  rose. 

1875. 


70 


EROICA 

WHERE  plant  the   lily  of  my  heart,  my  gentle   lily, 

where  ? 
O    generous    should    be    the    earth,  and    innocent 

the  air. 

A  grave  above   the  river  blue,  a  soldier's   grave  I 

know  ; 
There,  gazing  o'er  the  paths  he  trod,  shall  my  pure 

lily  grow. 

Its   root   pierce   deep  in   sacred   soil,  to   thrive   for 

many  years ; 
It  shall  be  nourished  by  my  hopes,  and  watered  with 

my  tears. 

When  falls  the  hour,  in  perfect  grace  will  bloom  my 

lily  white, 
A  splendor  in  the  sunny  morn,  a  fragrance   in   the 

night. 

71 


EROICA 

"  O  Earth,  how  free  thy  bounties  are  !    O  Sun,  what 

warmth  is  thine  ! 
O   Life,  how   glorious   thy   boon !     O    Nature,   how 

divine  ! 


"The  greenwood  here,  in  budding  May,  how  blithe 
some  to  behold  ! 
How  worthy  its  October  robe  of  crimson  and  of  gold  ! 

"  Rejoicing  birds,  in  golden  prime,  what  concert  do 

they  keep ! 
The  harmonies  of  autumn  gales,  their  chords   how 

grand  and  deep  ! 


"The  stream,  the  town,  the  clasping  hills,  the  city 

domed  and  dim, 
A  million  joys,  a  million  woes,  combining  in  a  hymn  ! 

"  For  me  the  essence  of  the  whole,  the  anthem's  soul 

of  truth, 
One  passion  chaste,  one  holy  flame,  one  sacrifice  of 

youth  !  " 

72 


EROICA 

So  shall  I  cry,  and  here  resort  at  morning  and   at 

eve; 
Care-laden  will  my  feet  approach,  calm-hearted  shall 

I  leave. 


When  day  hath  deepened  into  dusk,  and  due  mine 

earned  rest, 
This  lily  shall  bestow  a  flower  to  lay  upon  my  breast. 


73 


PEACE 

WHEN  morning  beameth  on  the  plain,  and  thy  for 
saken  home, 

Then  peaceful  in  the  eastern  ray  shine  river,  spires, 
and  dome; 

And  when  the  summer  twilights  pale,  and  rose  and 
purple  die, 

The  air  of  even  breathes  so  low,  that  scarce  is  heard 
the  sigh. 

When  earth  remembereth  to  be  green,  and  mirthful 

robins  sing, 

Along  the  quiet  lonely  path  a  pilgrim  fareth  Spring, 
A  moment  museth  o'er  her  child,  as  youthful  and  as 

fair, 
Then  gently  passeth  on   her  way,  to   leave  a  violet 

there. 


74 


A  MEMORY 

A  LAMP  I  know  of  a  merciful  ray; 

It  burneth  forever,  by  night  and  by  day. 

It  maketh  a  safe  and  a  pleasant  room ; 
It  shineth  far,  if  deep  be  the  gloom. 

The  darkness  I  welcome  for  love  of  its  grace ; 
My  lamp  hath  the  light  of  a  holy  face. 


THE    END 


75 


The  titlepage  of  this  book  has  been  designed  by  Adelene 
Moffat,  after  an  Italo-Greek  -vase  in  possession  of 
the  author. 


inn  inn  iii 
AA      000071  083   o 


